Social Thinking and History: A Sociocultural Psychological Perspective on Representations of the Past

Social Thinking and History explores how our representations of history are constructed through psychosocial processes and how they evolve throughout our lives, influencing our relationship with our social environment. It proposes a new perspective on understanding and using our collective past, analyzing three studies in different contexts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Social Thinking and History unveil a profound exploration into the intricate psychosocial dynamics that shape our representations of history, revealing a tapestry woven through the interactions of multiple individuals over an extended lifespan. These representations, like dynamic landscapes, evolve and transform, profoundly influencing our relationship with the social environment. This groundbreaking work builds upon the rich literature of social thinking, collective memory, and sociocultural psychology, offering a fresh perspective on our understanding and utilization of our collective past.

Central to this exploration is the notion that we actively engage in the construction of historical representations, shaping the worldviews within which we reside. By delving into the cognitive processes involved, the book sheds light on how we learn to challenge or appropriate the stories we have heard about the past, ultimately shaping our understanding of the present and the future.

Through a meticulous analysis of three diverse studies conducted in different contexts—political discourses in France, intellectual and artistic circles in Belgium, and the discussion of a current event in Poland—this book paints a rich and multifaceted picture of our representations of the past. It unveils the intricate ways in which historical narratives are constructed, interpreted, and reproduced, shedding light on the role they play in our everyday lives.

This book appeals to a wide audience, including academics, researchers, and postgraduate students across psychology, memory studies, sociology, political science, and history. Its insights will also resonate with psychologists and human and social scientists engaged in the study of collective memory, offering valuable perspectives and methodologies for understanding the complex dynamics of historical representation.

In conclusion, Social Thinking and History presents a groundbreaking exploration into the psychosocial processes that shape our representations of history, illuminating the ways in which we actively construct and challenge historical narratives. By offering a rich and nuanced understanding of our collective past, this book contributes to our understanding of the present and the possibilities for the future.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138609303